Rangers roll in home finale

Thursday

Jan 31, 2013 at 9:00 AM

By Ed Patinoed.patino@hillsdale.netREADING — Alex Ely and Derek Hiller made sure the Reading High School wrestling team closed out its home schedule in style.Ely scored a pinfall victory to put his team in control and Hiller clinched the dual with a pin as the Rangers posted a 45-29 victory over the Union City Chargers in the final regular season Big Eight Conference dual Wednesday.Reading (13-11, 4-3 Big Eight) gained momentum for the Big Eight Conference Tournament, which takes place Saturday at Homer. Although winning the league title is likely out of reach, Reading coach Mark Draper knows that a good showing could move his Rangers to a higher finish in the standings."Second place still looks to be wide open, and you never know what can happen in the tournament," Draper said. "Teams can get hot at the right time."The Comets won eight matches on the night, including four by pinfall. Jonesville collected six points in seven of its wins.Five straight victories put Jonesville in command. Jarret Wolford (160) gave the Comets a 15-14 lead when he pinned Union City's Branson Turley in 2:37. After Isreal Healy (171) and James Bolenbaugh (189) collected voids, Ely scored a critical victory in the 215-pound match.Trailing 7-1 in the second period, Ely caught Union City's Scott Alwood for a pin at the 3:24 mark, putting Jonesville up 33-14."Alex was finally able to take control and got the pin, and that was a key win for us," Draper said.Davis Fettes (285) answered for the Chargers by pinning Zach Thatcher, but Dylan Burlew (103) collected a void for the Comets. Hiller (112) followed by pinning Matt Vaccaro in 35 seconds, giving Jonesville a 45-20 lead and clinching the dual."Derek making sure the dual was over was a big win for him," Draper said.The teams split the first five matches. Union City struck first when Jared Shepard (130) scored a 10-1 major decision over Trent Shafer, but Ryan Hiller (135) recorded a 15-8 decision over Logan Dowell. Kyle Howard (140) pinned Dale Holmes, giving Union City a 10-3 lead. Austin Bolenbaugh (145) brought Reading back to within one by pinning Aaron Watson in 1:45.Taylor Howard (145) gave the Chargers a 14-9 lead with a major decision over Reading's Micah Watson."Austin went up against a tough kid and put him on his back," Draper said. "Wolford is 29-3 and has done the job for us all year. He's been a good leader for us."Jonesville 54, Athens/Climax-Scotts 21The Jonesville High School wrestling team kept its Big Eight Conference title hopes alive Wednesday with a victory over Athens/Climax-Scotts in their final home dual of the season.Jonesville (20-8, 6-1 Big Eight) is in second place in the conference entering Saturday's Big Eight Championship Tournament at Homer.The Comets won 10 of the 14 matches in the dual. Carter Ballinger (125), David Fairbanks (130), Ethan Lowery (135). AJ Blaker (140), Joseph Rodriguez (145), Josh Myers (160), Sebastian Cousins (171), Julian Rodriguez (189), Jonathan Rodrigeuz (215) and William Corbin (285) all recorded victories for Jonesville.